(MENAFN) Portugal blocks Venezuelan fund transfer

(MENAFN) A Portuguese bank has blocked Venezuela’s attempt to transfer USD1.2 billion to Uruguay, as the opposition to President Nicolas Maduro warned of the theft of public funds, while the U.S. sent food and medical aid to the Venezuelan-Colombian border.

Pressure is mounting on Maduro to step down amid an economic crisis marked by shortages and hyperinflation, with the United States and other nations recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

Pope Francis has expressed willingness for the Vatican to reconcile Venezuela’s crisis if both sides seek it.

Guaido, who declared himself interim president in January, was scheduled to meet later with business leaders at Venezuela”s main business group, Fedecamaras, to discuss an economic recovery plan under a future transition government in the OPEC-member South American country.

Maduro”s adversaries have warned that Venezuelan officials are trying to consume state coffers ahead of a potential change of government.